Chapter 14 ~ One Door Closes. Do You Dare To Open The Other?
"So punk, how'd you meet Paps 'n' Sans here?" Fish lady perks up, finally exploding with her burning questions.
"undyne." Sans gives her a discreet warning look as if to tell her to 'back the fuck off'. You tap his humerus to catch his attention.
"No, it's okay. They actually saved my life. I was just sitting on the riverside, and I got attacked. Next thing I knew I woke up at their place. They selflessly risked their lives just to help a random stranger." You wore a thankful smile towards the two assembled bone beings.
"Oooo. H-how c-c-couragous. W-w-what an enticing introduction t-to a thrilling, t-tragic romantic tale. I gotta t-take notes." The Lizard lady seemed to come out of her shell a little at the dramatic storytelling. 'Wait, take notes?!'
"Do you know who was attacking you?" 'Undyne' retained the conversation, only to receive a muffled growl.
"Ahh, not specifically, no. But I've gathered one thing. They do not like my bloodline." You half joke.
"alright, that's enough. No more investigations. paps were going." Sans shoots up off the couch only to grab your arm and reach for Papyrus'.
"BUT-" Sans cuts in. "no buts, we're leaving." You think this is the most stern you've ever seen the older brother. You only just manage to deliver a brief "Thank you for lunch, it was lovely." before you find yourself on the floor of the skelebrothers lounge once again.
You felt a pair of bones pick you up as if you were a feather, to be laid on the iconic green couch. With the way the comfort level rose from sitting to lying, the way the creases of the cushions naturally melded with your shape, you had no doubt that a certain someone has had many occasions sleeping here.
"heh, sorry bout that ki- ah jess, they took it a bit far." Sans sheepishly muttered, eyes towards his muddled phalanges.
"It's fine, I understand their skepticism." You wave it off to show that it wasn't bothering you. However;
"Sans, when Toriel was talking to me she asked me to let you guys help. What does she mean and how?" Being the reliable skeleton he is, Papyrus steps in. With your cat in hand.
"Her ladyship wants you to live with us." He wore an innocent and sweet but excited grin as he placed Ella in your arms. Of which you eagerly accepted.
'Live?! Permanently?!' You had to catch your jaw. You were not prepared for this kind of commitment. Cuddling your furball closer for a source of comfort and grounding, you lay quite overwhelmed.
"I'm, ah, gonna have to think over that one, ahah. Not that I don't appreciate it, I really do but I can't just make that kind of decision straight away. I mean, are you guys okay with this?" You indecisively query.
"Of course we are human Jess, you are always welcome into our home." he declared with a spirited beam as if it was obvious.
You take what Papyrus offers and direct your trail of sight to the other side of the room, deep in thought. You may have what Papyrus believes but you feel Sans is a bit more conservative with his opinions. What if Sans doesn't want you here invading his and his beloved brother's space.
Sans takes a seat on the floor in front of you, his side leaning against the arm of the couch so that he could still face you. "lets talk about this later. i'm sure ya have plenty of other things to think over first. for example, when ya ready to collect ya things. ya don't have to get them now, so don't pressure yourself, and when ya ready i'll go with ya."
"The great royal guardsman Papyrus will also be there to protect alongside you!" Paps strikes a glorious pose; eyebones closed with a proud skelly expression, left glove on his ilium and right on his sternum. Red cape, that you only just noticed he acquired, flowing heroically.
You look around the lounge. 'Which damn window is open?'
"Hey, Sasha speaking….HA joking, I'm not available right now, leave a message." You hear the painstakingly familiar voice and tone.
"It's me again. Man, things have been crazy over the last week... I've made some friends. Monster friends even. I wish you would meet them, they're lovely. I'm actually staying with them at the moment. Papyrus is such a sweetheart, very tall though. And his older brother, Sans. He is a reserved man, but also very kind. Protective. They've actually saved my life twice now. When we first met, as well as last night. If I hadn't have been staying at their place I would be dead. But, here I am. Those two are such blessings. They're both looking after me. Probably more than I've done so myself." You chuckle, belittling.
"To be honest I don't really know how to feel. We have a lot of enemies, you know this. I want to trust them. Let them in. But, I don't know how they'd react. I don't want to lose the gems I've found...I've spent so long without you guys, I don't really know how to accept another family. I'm afraid. Afraid of getting broken again." Solemnly reminiscing for a moment, you regain yourself and return to your recorded message.
"The um...the queen of monsters implied that I should live with the skelebrothers. 'Let them help' she said. But to me that's like tying them down on a train track, with an upcoming train you know will arrive. I want to have faith, hope that they'll be okay but, you know how humans are. Such a write off of a species." You let your hatred slip, but this time you were okay with that. You sigh.
"I wonder if grandma knew what would become of us. I wouldn't blame her if she decided that it was worth the risk. In the long run, you know."
"My um, my apartment got ransacked. These guys knew. The photo of us...I'll have to put it away from now on."
"I need to make the decision. Leave everything behind or take this risk and accept their help. l'm so conflicted. If you could help me out, give me a sign towards which battle I should face."
"I miss you, you know. I often wonder which path you would've taken. You're so bright, you would do so much good in the world. You would've liked my new friends, but now that I think about it, would you have even had the chance to meet them? Would I have?" You realised how existential this thought process was.
"I'm gonna go get what remains from my apartment. Ah, well, my old apartment." You hesitate. "I'll call you later, love you sis." Hanging up, you gather your thoughts to prepare for the now, rather than the then.
A/N.
Hello, my lovelies. I hope you are all safe.
I'm finally making something of myself. Does make me a busy woman though.
Until next time, remember to be kind, but gentle.